Valentine’s Day, that annual conundrum wrapped in red foil and sprinkled with expectations. Some of us embrace it with the gusto of a child in a candy store, while others view it with the enthusiasm of a cat facing a bath.

But here’s the crux of it: if your partner is the type to swoon at a bouquet of roses or a heart-shaped box of chocolates, don’t be the Valentine’s Grinch. You don’t want to be that person who, in a fit of anti-commercial rebellion, decides to boycott the day, only to find out your partner had been secretly hoping for a love-struck gesture.

So, if your significant other’s eyes light up at the mere mention of February 14th, why not give in? It’s not about surrendering your principles; it’s about choosing your battles. And let’s be honest, in the grand scheme of things, making your partner happy for one day is a pretty good battle to lose.

You don’t have to go overboard. No need to hire a skywriter or serenade them under their window (unless that’s your thing, of course). Sometimes, the simplest gestures speak the loudest. A card, a favorite meal, or even just uninterrupted time together can say, “I may not get this whole Valentine’s thing, but I get you.”

Remember, it’s just one day. And in the world of love, being the person who puts their partner’s happiness first, even if it means enduring a day of Cupid and confetti, is perhaps the most romantic gesture of all. Plus, you’ll have 364 other days to gently mock the whole affair—with love, of course.

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand & Community at Virtuous Software. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Copyright ©2024 Stephen Boudreau.